Image forming system and image forming method

ABSTRACT

An UI section accepts operation of a user. A setting selection section judges as to whether this user operation instructs a process operation executed in accordance with setting information of an IC chip attached to an original document, or another process operation executed in accordance with setting information entered by the user. In the former case, an operation control section controls a data reading section so as to read out the setting information from the IC chip attached to the original document, and also, controls a print control section to perform printing/FAX transforming operations in accordance with this read setting information. In the latter case, an operation control section controls a data writing section in order to write the setting information entered by the user into the IC chip.

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained inJapanese Patent Application No.2002-248783 filed on Aug. 28, 2002, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is related to an image forming system andan image forming method, which can protect secret information using anon-contact memory attached to an original document.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A compact semiconductor chip (for example, u-chip by HITACHI,LTD.) from which an external unit can read stored data in a non-contactmanner has been known.

[0006] Also, JP-A-2001-229199, JP-A-2000-285203, JP-A-2001-134672,JP-A-2001-283011, JP-A-2001-148000, and JP-A-2001-260580 discloseapplications of the compact semiconductor chip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention has been made from the viewpoint of theabove-explained technical background. The invention has an object toprovide an image forming system and an image forming method, by whichsetting information of image forming operation can be stored in anoriginal document by utilizing a semiconductor chip from which datastored therein can be read out in a non-contact manner.

[0008] Also, another object of the present invention is to provide animage forming system and an image forming method, capable of forming animage by utilizing setting information of the image forming operationstored in the original document, as explained above.

[0009] [Image Forming System]

[0010] To achieve the above-described objects, an image forming systemaccording to a first aspect of the invention, includes an image displaymember on which an image is displayed and an image forming apparatus.The image display member includes an information storage section forstoring information, which is written from external thereinto, andsupplying the stored information to the external. The image formingapparatus include a setting reception section for receiving a settinginput from the external, an image reading section for reading thedisplayed image, an image forming section for forming the read image inaccordance with the received setting, and an information writing sectionfor writing setting information indicating the received setting into theinformation storage section.

[0011] Preferably, the information storage section supplies the writtensetting information to the external. The image forming apparatus furtherincludes an information reading section for reading the supplied settinginformation. When the setting information is read, the image formingsection forms the read image in accordance with the read settinginformation.

[0012] [Image Forming Apparatus]

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, an image formingapparatus forms an image displayed on an image display member, whichstores information written from an external thereinto and supplies thestored information to the external. The image forming apparatus includesa setting reception section for receiving a setting input from theexternal, an image reading section for reading the displayed image, animage forming section for forming the read image in accordance with thereceived setting, and an information writing section for writing settinginformation indicating the received setting into the information storagesection.

[0014] Preferably, the image display member supplies the written settinginformation to the external. The image forming apparatus furtherincludes an information reading section for reading the supplied settinginformation. When the setting information is read, the image formingsection forms the read image in accordance with the read settinginformation.

[0015] [Image Forming Method]

[0016] Also, according to a third aspect of the invention, an imageforming method forms an imaged is played on an image display member,which stores information written from an external thereinto and suppliesthe stored information to the external. The image forming methodincludes receiving a setting input from the external, reading thedisplayed image, forming the read image in accordance with the receivedsetting, and writing setting information indicating the received settinginto the image display member.

[0017] Preferably, the image display member supplies the written settinginformation to the external. The image forming method further includesreading the supplied setting information. When the setting informationis read, the read image is formed in accordance with the read settinginformation in the image forming step.

[0018] [Program]

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a program makes acomputer form an image display on an image display member, which storesinformation written from external thereinto and supplies the writteninformation to the external. The program making the computer of an imageforming apparatus perform a process including receiving a setting inputfrom the external, reading the displayed image, forming the read imagein accordance with the received setting, and writing setting informationindicating the received setting into the image display member.

[0020] Preferably, the image display member supplies the written settinginformation to the external. The process further includes reading thesupplied setting information. When the setting information is read, theread image is formed in accordance with the read setting information inthe image forming step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a diagram for representing a hardware structure of acomposite copying machine to which an image forming method according tothe present invention is applied, i.e., for mainly exemplifying acontrol apparatus thereof.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a diagram for exemplifying a hardware construction of anapparatus main body indicated in FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a diagram for exemplifying an original paper indicatedin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a diagram for showing a structure of a first IC chipindicated in FIG. 3.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a diagram for indicating a structure of an IC chip IFshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a diagram for representing a structure of a firstprinting/transmitting program which is executed by the control apparatus(FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) so as to realize the image forming method accordingto the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a diagram for exemplifying an image printed on aprinting paper by the first printing/transmitting program.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a flow chart for describing operations (S10) of thecomposite copying machine (first printing/transmitting program).

[0029]FIG. 9 is a diagram for exemplifying a structure of a second ICchip.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a diagram for representing a structure of a secondprinting/transmitting program.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Now, a description is made of embodiments of the invention.

[0032] [Composite Copying Machine 1]

[0033]FIG. 1 is a diagram for exemplifying a hardware structure of acomposite copying machine 1 to which an image forming method accordingto the present invention is applied. A control apparatus 2 of thiscomposite copying machine 1 is mainly illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] As represented in FIG. 1, the composite copying machine 1includes the control apparatus 2 and an apparatus main body 10.

[0035] The control apparatus 2 includes a control apparatus main body20, a communication apparatus 22, a recording apparatus 24 such as anHDD/CD apparatus, a user interface apparatus (UI apparatus) 26, and anIC chip interface (IC chip IF) 28. The control apparatus main body 20contains a CPU 202, a memory 204, and the like. The user interfaceapparatus 26 contains either an LCD display apparatus or a CRT displayapparatus, and a keyboard/touch panel, and so on. The IC chip interface28 contains an antenna 280.

[0036] [Apparatus Main Body 10]

[0037]FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing an example of a hardware structureof the apparatus main body 10 indicated in FIG. 1.

[0038] As indicated in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 10 includes apaper tray section 12, a print engine 14, a scanner 16, an originalfeeding apparatus 18, and the like. The print engine 14 copies and/orprints images on printing papers 42 (see FIG. 7), which are fed from thepaper tray section 12 by way of the xerography technique. It should beunderstood that both copying operation and printing operation will bereferred to as “printing operation” hereinafter. The scanner 16 readsout images of an original paper 40. The original feeding apparatus 18feeds the original paper 40.

[0039] Also, in the apparatus main body 10, both the IC chip IF 28 andthe antenna 280 are arranged in the vicinity of an original feeding pathof the original feeding apparatus 18, through which the original paper40 is transported. Also, the UI apparatus 26 is arranged at an upperportion of the apparatus main body 10.

[0040] In other words, the composite copying machine 1 may be realizedby employing such a hardware structure that both the IC chip IF 28 andthe antenna 280 are added to a general-purpose composite copying machinehaving a function reading an image of the original paper 40 fed from theoriginal feeding apparatus 18 and printing the image, and anotherfunction transmitting this image in a FAX (facsimile) mode.

[0041] It should be noted that as shown in FIG. 2, the control apparatus2 (see FIG. 1) is actually stored inside the apparatus main body 10.

[0042] [Original Paper 40]

[0043]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustratively showing an example of theoriginal paper 40 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0044] As indicated in FIG. 3, an image such as a text and a picture isindicated on the original paper 40. Also, a first IC chip 3 is appliedto this original paper 40 by way of either a pasting method or anembedding method.

[0045] [IC Chip 3/IC Chip IF 28]

[0046]FIG. 4 is a diagram for schematically showing a structure of thefirst IC chip 3 shown in FIG. 3.

[0047]FIG. 5 is a diagram for schematically indicating a construction ofthe IC chip IF 28 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the IC chip 3 includes an antenna 300, aclock reproducing circuit 320, a memory circuit 322, a datatransmitting/receiving circuit 324, and a power supply circuit 326.

[0049] It should also be noted that when it is so guaranteed that the ICchip 3 of the original paper 40 passes through an area in closeproximity to the antenna 280, an IC chip 3 having no antenna 300 may beemployed.

[0050] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the IC chip IF 28 includes atransmission circuit 284, a reception circuit 286, atransmission/reception control circuit 282, a demodulation circuit 288,and a modulation circuit 290.

[0051] In accordance with the below-mentioned operations of therespective constituent units employed in the IC chip 3 and the IC chipIF 28, information (data) may be written into the IC chip 3 via the ICchip IF 28 in a non-contact manner. Further, information (data), whichhas been stored in the IC chip 3, may be read out therefrom via the ICchip IF 28 in a non-contact manner.

[0052] In the IC chip 3 (see FIG. 4), the power supply circuit 326rectifies an electromagnetic wave signal supplied via the antenna 300 soas to supply electric power to the respective constituent units of theIC chip 3. This electric power is required for these constituent units.

[0053] The clock reproducing circuit 320 reproduces a clock signal fromthe electromagnetic wave signal supplied from the IC chip IF 28 throughthe antenna 300 to output this reproduced clock signal to the memorycircuit 322 and the data transmitting/receiving circuit 324.

[0054] The memory circuit 324 is, for example, a nonvolatile RAM (randomaccess memory). This memory circuit 324 stores thereinto data indicativeof information, which is input from the data transmitting/receivingcircuit 324, in synchronization with the clock signal entered from theclock reproducing circuit 320.

[0055] Also, the memory circuit 322 outputs such a data indicative ofinformation stored therein to the data transmitting/receiving circuit324, in synchronization with the clock signal.

[0056] The data transmitting/receiving circuit 324 demodulates data fromthe electromagnetic wave signal, which is entered from the antenna 300,to output this demodulated data with respect to the memory circuit 322in synchronization with the clock signal entered from the clockreproducing circuit 320.

[0057] Also, the data transmitting/receiving circuit 324 changes areflection strength of the electromagnetic wave signal supplied from theIC chip IF 28 in accordance with a data value entered from the memorycircuit 322, in synchronization with the clock signal.

[0058] As described above, the data indicative of the information whichhas been stored in the memory circuit 322 may be transmitted from the ICchip 3 to the IC chip IF 28 by changing the strength of the reflectionsignal of the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the IC chipIF 28 to the IC chip 3.

[0059] In the IC chip IF 28 (FIG. 5), the transmission/reception controlcircuit 282 controls operations of the respective constituent units ofthis IC chip IF 28.

[0060] Also, this transmission/reception control circuit 282 outputssuch data entered from the control apparatus main body 20 (namely, firstprinting/transmitting program 5; will be discussed later with referenceto FIG. 6) to the demodulation circuit 288.

[0061] Further, this transmission/reception control circuit 282 outputsdata, which the reception circuit 286 receives and the demodulationcircuit 288 demodulates, to the control apparatus main body 20.

[0062] The modulation circuit 290 modulates a high frequency signal(radio frequency signal) based upon data entered from thetransmission/reception control circuit 282 to produce an electromagneticwave signal, and then, outputs this produced electromagnetic wave signalto the transmission circuit 284.

[0063] The transmission circuit 284 transmits the electromagnetic wavesignal via the antenna 280 to the IC chip 3, while this electromagneticwave signal contains data to be stored in the IC chip 3 and the clocksignal.

[0064] The reception circuit 296 receives a reflection signal, which isreflected from the IC chip 3, and then outputs this received reflectionsignal to the demodulation circuit 288.

[0065] The modulation circuit 288 demodulates the data transmitted fromthe IC chip 3 based upon a change of the reflection signal entered fromthe reception circuit 286, and then outputs the demodulated data to thetransmission/reception control circuit 282.

[0066] [First Printing/Transmitting Program 5]

[0067]FIG. 6 is a block diagram for schematically indicating aconstitution of a first printing/transmitting program 5, which isexecuted by the control apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) so as torealize the image forming method according to the present invention.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the first printing/transmitting program 5includes an image reading section 500, a UI section 502, a settingselection section 504, an operation control section 506, a print controlsection 510, a transmission control section 512, and an IC chip controlsection 52.

[0069] The IC chip control section 52 includes a data reading section520 and a data writing section 522.

[0070] This first printing/transmitting program 5 is supplied from, forexample, a recording medium 240 (see FIG. 1) to the control apparatus 2,and is loaded to the memory 204 so as to be executed.

[0071] In the first printing/transmitting program 5, the image readingsection 500 controls the constituent units of the apparatus main body 10such as the original feeding apparatus 18 and the scanner 16 (FIG. 2) inaccordance with the control of the operation control section 506 to readan image of the original paper 40 (FIG. 3).

[0072]FIG. 7 is a diagram for showing an example of an image, which isprinted on a print paper 42 by the first printing/transmitting program5.

[0073] The print control section 510 controls the constituent units ofthe apparatus main body 10 such as the paper tray section 12 and theprint engine of 14 in accordance with the control of the operationcontrol section 506 to print the image of the original paper 40 read bythe image reading section 500 on the print paper 42 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0074] The transmission control section 512 controls the constituentunit of the apparatus main body 10 such as the communication apparatus22 (FIG. 1) in accordance with the control of the operation controlsection 506 to transmit the image of the original paper 40 read by theimage reading section 500 in a FAX (facsimile) mode.

[0075] The UI section 502 accepts operation by a user with respect tothe UI apparatus 26 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and outputs an instruction of aprinting method for the composite copying machine 1, and data indicativeof setting information, which indicates a FAX transmission destination,to an identifying section 530 (not shown).

[0076] The data writing section 522 controls the IC chip IF 28 to writethe data indicative of the setting information input from the UI section502 into the IC chip 3 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

[0077] The data reading section 520 controls the IC chip IF 28 to readsuch data indicative of the setting information, which has been storedin the IC chip 3 by the data writing section 522 controlling theabove-explained IC chip IF 28, to output the read data to the settingselection section 504.

[0078] It should also be noted that judgment as to whether or not datatransmitted from the IC chip 3 has been read under normal condition maybe realized by employing the following judging method. That is, the datawriting section 522 stores such a data in the IC chip 3 with adding anerror detection code to the data, and when the data reading section 520reads out this data, it is checked whether or not an error is detected.

[0079] In accordance with an instruction clearly made by a user, or atacitly-made instruction with respect to the UI apparatus 26 (FIG. 1 andFIG. 2), the setting selection section 504 selects any one of thesetting information, which is read from the IC chip 3 by the datareading section 520, and the setting information, which is input to theUI apparatus 26 by the user, and then, outputs the selected settinginformation to the operation control section 506.

[0080] As an example of the instructions, which are clearly made by theuser, the following operation may be carried out. That is, when adisplay apparatus of the UI apparatus 26 is equipped with a button usedto instruct to read the setting information from the IC chip 3 isemployed for the print/FAX transmission purpose, the user depresses thisbutton.

[0081] Also, as an example of the instructions, which are tacitly madeby the user, the following instruction may be made. That is, when theuser depresses a start button disposed in the UI apparatus 26 withoutinstructing neither to use the setting information read from the IC chip3 or to use the setting information made in the UI apparatus 26 and thesetting information can be read from the IC chip 3, the instruction bythe user is deemed that the print/FAX transmission is performed inaccordance with the setting information read from the IC chip 3. To thecontrary, in cases other than the above set forth, the instruction bythe user is deemed that the print/FAX transmission is performed inaccordance with a default setting of the composite copying machine 1.

[0082] The operation control section 506 controls the image readingsection 500, the print control section 510, the transmission controlsection 512, the data writing section 522, in accordance with thesetting information entered from the setting selection section 504, tomake those sections perform the print operation and/or the FAXoperation.

[0083] In other words, when the input setting information is setting ofperforming the printing operation, the operation control section 506controls the image reading section 500 to read an image, and then,controls the print control section 510 to print out the read image.

[0084] Alternatively, when the input setting information is setting ofperforming the FAX transmitting operation, the operation control section506 controls the image reading section 500 so as to read an image, andthen, controls the transmission control section 512 so as to transmitthe read image in the FAX mode.

[0085] [Overall Operation]

[0086] Next, overall operation of the above-described composite copyingmachine 1 will be described in which the user issues a clearinstruction.

[0087]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing operation (defined in S10) ofthe composite copying machine 1 (namely, first printing/transmittingprogram 5).

[0088] As indicated in FIG. 8, in a step 100 (S100), the UI section 502(FIG. 6) accepts an operation for instructing that either the settinginformation obtained from the IC chip 3 (FIG. 3) or the settinginformation input by the user, in order to execute either the printingoperation or the FAX transmitting operation.

[0089] In a step 102 (S102), the setting selection section 504 judgeswhether or not the operation by the user, which is accepted at theprocess of the step S100, is an instruction for using the settinginformation obtained from the IC chip 3.

[0090] When the setting selection section 504 judges that the userinstructs using the setting information obtained from the IC chip 3,this first printing/transmitting program 5 is advanced to a process of astep S120.

[0091] In other cases, the first printing/transmitting program 5 isadvanced to a process defined in a step S110, while the settingcondition designated by the operation accepted in the process operationof the step S100 is employed as the setting information.

[0092] In the step 110 (S110), the operation control section 506controls the image reading section 500 and either the printing controlunit 510 or the transmission control section 512, if necessary, in orderto execute either the printing process operation or the FAX transmittingoperation by using the setting information input by the user.

[0093] In a step 112 (S112), the operation control section 506 controlsthe data writing section 522 and the data reading section 520 so as tooutput an electromagnetic wave signal to the original paper 40, which istransported in the vicinity of the antenna 280 by the original feedingapparatus 18, and then detects a response signal derived from the ICchip 3 to this transmitted electromagnetic wave signal.

[0094] In a step 114 (S114), the operation control section 506 judgeswhether or not the response signal derived from the IC chip 3 attachedto the original paper 40 is detected.

[0095] When the response signal derived from the IC chip 3 is detected,the first printing/transmitting program 5 is advanced to a process of astep S116. In other cases, the process of this printing/transmittingprogram 5 is terminated.

[0096] In the step 116 (S116), the operation control section 506controls the data writing section 522 to write a data indicative of thesetting information accepted in the process of the step S100 into the ICchip 3.

[0097] In a step 120 (S120), the operation control section 506 controlsthe data reading section 520 to read the setting information stored inthe IC chip 3.

[0098] In a step 122 (S122), the operation control section 506 judgeswhether or not reading operation of the setting information from the ICchip 3 succeeds.

[0099] When this reading operation succeeds, the firstprinting/transmitting program 5 is advanced to a process of a step S124.In other cases, the first printing/transmitting program 5 is advanced toa process of a step S130.

[0100] In a step 124 (S124), the operation control section 506 controlsthe image reading section 500 and either the print control section 510or the transmission control section 512, if necessary, in order thateither the printing process operation or the FAX transmission operationis carried out by using the setting information read from the IC chip 3.

[0101] In a step 130 (S130), the operation control section 506 executesan exceptional process operation in which such a message that thesetting information could not be read out from the IC chip 3 isdisplayed on the display apparatus of the UI apparatus 26 (FIG. 1).

[0102] [Modification]

[0103]FIG. 9 is a diagram for indicating a constitution of a second ICchip 34 according to another embodiment of the invention in.

[0104]FIG. 10 is a block diagram for representing a constitution of asecond printing/transmitting program 54.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 9, the second IC chip 34 employs such astructure that an encryption section 340 is additionally interposedbetween the memory circuit 322 and the data transmitting/receivingcircuit 324 of the first IC chip 3 (see FIG. 4).

[0106] As indicated in FIG. 10, the second printing/transmitting program54 employs such an arrangement that a decryption section 540 isadditionally interposed between the data reading section 520 and thesetting selection section 504 of the first printing/transmitting program5, and that an encrypting section 542 is additionally interposed betweenthe data writing section 522 and the IC chip IF 28 (see FIG. 1 and FIG.5).

[0107] It should be understood that the same reference numerals used inthe respective constituent components of the IC chip 3 will be employedas those for denoting the essentially same constituent components ofthis second IC chip 34. Furthermore, the same reference numerals used inthe respective constituent components of the first printing/transmittingprogram 5 will be employed as those for denoting the essentially sameconstituent components of the second printing/transmitting program 54.

[0108] When the IC chip 3 is provided with the encryption section 340and the second printing/transmitting program 54 is provided with thedecryption section 540, in the second IC chip 34, the encryption section340 reads out such a data indicative of a password and secretinformation from the memory circuit 322 in synchronization with theclock signal and then, encrypts the this read data to output theencrypted data to the data transmitting/receiving circuit 324.

[0109] The decryption section 540 in the second printing/transmittingprogram 54 decrypts the data, which has been encrypted and output.Thereafter, the decrypted data is processed in the process operationshown in FIG. 8.

[0110] Alternatively, when the decryption section 540 and the encryptionsection 542 are provided with the second printing/transmitting program54, such a data, which has been encrypted by the encryption section 542,is stored in the IC chip 3, the encryption data stored in the IC chip 3is read out by the data reading section 520, and this read encryptiondata is decrypted by the decryption section 540, and thereafter, thisdecrypted data is processed in the process operation shown in FIG. 8.

[0111] As previously described, it is preferable to execute such anoperation that while the data is encrypted in the IC chip 34, theencrypted data is decrypted in the second printing/transmitting program56 in order to improve secrecy of information, as compared with anotherprocess operation in which neither the data encryption, nor the datadecryption is carried out.

[0112] As previously explained in detail, in accordance with the imageforming system and the image forming method according to the presentinvention, the setting information of forming the image can be stored inthe original document by utilizing the semiconductor chip from which thedata stored therein can be read in the non-contact manner.

[0113] In addition, in accordance with the image forming system and theimage forming method according to the present invention, the imageforming operation can be carried out by employing the settinginformation of the image formation which has been stored in the originaldocument, as explained above.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming system comprising: an imagedisplay member on which an image is displayed; and an image formingapparatus, wherein: the image display member includes: an informationstorage section for storing information, which is written from externalthereinto, and supplying the stored information to the external; and theimage forming apparatus include: a setting reception section forreceiving a setting input from the external; an image reading sectionfor reading the displayed image; an image forming section for formingthe read image in accordance with the received setting; and aninformation writing section for writing setting information indicatingthe received setting into the information storage section.
 2. The imageforming system according to claim 1, wherein: the information storagesection supplies the written setting information to the external; theimage forming apparatus further includes an information reading sectionfor reading the supplied setting information; and when the settinginformation is read, the image forming section forms the read image inaccordance with the read setting information.
 3. An image formingapparatus for forming an image displayed on an image display member,which stores information written from an external thereinto and suppliesthe stored information to the external, the image forming apparatuscomprising: a setting reception section for receiving a setting inputfrom the external; an image reading section for reading the displayedimage; an image forming section for forming the read image in accordancewith the received setting; and an information writing section forwriting setting information indicating the received setting into theinformation storage section.
 4. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 3, in which the image display member supplies the written settinginformation to the external, the image forming apparatus furthercomprising: an information reading section for reading the suppliedsetting information, wherein: when the setting information is read, theimage forming section forms the read image in accordance with the readsetting information.
 5. An image forming method for forming an imagedisplayed on an image display member, which stores information writtenfrom an external thereinto and supplies the stored information to theexternal, the image forming method comprising: receiving a setting inputfrom the external; reading the displayed image; forming the read imagein accordance with the received setting; and writing setting informationindicating the received setting into the image display member.
 6. Theimage forming method according to claim 5 in which the image displaymember supplies the written setting information to the external, theimage forming method further comprising: reading the supplied settinginformation, wherein: when the setting information is read, the readimage is formed in accordance with the read setting information in theimage forming step.
 7. A program making a computer of an image formingapparatus form an image display on an image display member, which storesinformation written from external thereinto and supplies the writteninformation to the external, the program making the computer perform aprocess comprising: receiving a setting input from the external; readingthe displayed image; forming the read image in accordance with thereceived setting; and writing setting information indicating thereceived setting into the image display member.
 8. The program accordingto claim 7, in which the image display member supplies the writtensetting information to the external, the process further comprising:reading the supplied setting information, wherein: when the settinginformation is read, the read image is formed in accordance with theread setting information in the image forming step.